Method and apparatus for sealing containers



Aug. 6, 1957v P. ll; cLAus r-:rAL 2,301,507

mamon An APPARATUS FOR s EALING CONTAINERS Filed Hay 2s, 1954 Y 5 sheets-sheet 1 I l 3a" E f I I w l Y l I /00 7 A J5 Y \E Q f 'c' 3g l E 5 29 l, (fla /fc' V /fz Wwe/nay Aug. 6, 1957 P. E. CLAUS ETAL MTHQD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAJINERS Filed May .'ass,v 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug 5,' I5,57 v. P,-E. cLAUs Erm. 2,801,507

mamon A Np APPARATUS Foa sEALmG CONTAINERS Filed lay 28, 1.954 Y y 5 Sheets-Sheet. 3

Aug. 6, v1957 P. E. CLAUS' ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR` SEALINGCONTAINERS Filed Hay 28, 1954 5 Sheets-Shet 4 H614.- @""il Mfrs/Vrana Hwa. E. knus 1 HEM?! Cloe/'52 Aug. 6, 1957l v P. E cLAus ETAI.

v METHOD AND APPARATUS Foa SEALING CONTAINERS A Filed May 28, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5' f Mns/waz.' PvmcffL/wf United States Patent C) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING coNrAiNERs Paul E. Claus, Kirkwood, and Henry C. Hoener, Webster Groves, Mo., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Crown Zellerbach Corporation, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of Nevada Application May 2.8, 1954, Serial No. 433,143

Claims. (Cl. S25-198) This invention appertains to a machine and process for applying banding means to a container, and more particularly to the means and process of applying closure caps to containers manufactured of corrugated fibreboard, solid iibreboard or any other suitable, bendable material and positioning and securing strapping or banding means thereabout.

The apparatus of this invention is particularly adaptable for use in rapid, high speed, automatic conveyor or assembly line operation with a minimum of manual assistance.

Many popular types of containers are constructed of corrugated iibreboard, solid breboard or similar materials and employ strapping or banding to seal the con- `tainer for shipment. Some styles of the containers utilize tubular body members and separate top and bottom closure caps. means and securing the closure caps to the body member are employed. For instance, in some containers, the closure caps have marginal flaps which interlock and engage into adjacent marginal flaps which are integral with the body member. The closure caps are permanently maintained in position by banding means, such as flat steel straps, wire or other suitable devices. In the applications wherein the entire container is banded and no separate closure is employed, it is unnecessary to provide, in conjunction with a band applying device, means for folding or positioning various components of the container. However, with various styles of containers employing separate closure caps, it has been found desirable to provide rapid, high speed means for' folding the closure flaps into secure engagement with the body members in addition to means to feed, position'and secure the strapping around the closure members without `substantial manual assistance.

Certain problems arise inthe positioning of the closure members onto the body section and in feeding the strapping means around the container. For example, the majority of the containers of the type usually employing the illustrated class of closure member are of square, rectangular or other polygonal shape, and therefore are inherently diicult to gird with relatively stiE, resilient strapping means which is usually packed in rolls and inherently tends to travel in a circular path. Ordinary track or guiding means are inadequate since the band will often tend to foul against the side of the track or against the side of the container, Furthermore, when securing rectangularly shaped containers, the band will tend t-o gouge or engage the corners of the container unless properly guided in a suitable track. It is also important that the strappingl means be positioned accurately with respect to the container so that it will remain properly in place during shipping and handling. It is,` therefore, an object of this invention to provide a machine and process for permanently sealing and banding containers by automatically applying encircling banding `means and securing these meansxedly in position.

Various means for placing the banding Patented Aug. 6, 1957 It is a further object of this invention to provide a container sealing machine vand process which may be readily adapted to be installed in a conveyor line.

Another lobject is to provide a machine and process which may be used to substantially, simultaneously form and apply top and bottom closure members to a container, wherein the closure forming means are provided with band or'strap feeding devices.

A still further object is to provide a machine for banding a container and a process which employs strap guiding means which follow closely the configuration of the container and which have movable side portions positioned adjacent the container and adapted to retract to permit the strap to be removed from the guiding means and accuratelypositioned with respect to the container closure.

Another object is to provide a machine and process which may be readily adapted to employ standard commercial strap or band securing and tightening devices.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description.

. An embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings wherein: j

Fig. l is a side elevation of a closing and sealing device employing this invention;

Fig. 2 is a front, fragmentary view of the closing and sealing device illustrated in Fig. l, shown positioned in alignment with a standard roller conveyor;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal, sectional view along lines 3 3 `of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional `view along lines 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged top view of the strap feeding mechanism embodying this invention;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged front view 4of the strap feeding mechanism shown in Fig. 5; t

. Fig. 7 is a vertical, sectional view along lines 7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a container closed and sealed by the apparatus and process of this invention;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a closure member adapted to t onto the container as shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged front view of the strap feeding mechanism illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 shown connected to a supporting bracket;

Fig. ,ll is a vertical, sectional view through 11--11 of Fig. 6; t

Fig. 12 is a vertical, sectional view through 1212 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 13 is a schematic drawing of an `apparatus employing this invention and illustrating the air actuated component parts and the electric control system. Fig. 13 shows the apparatus immediately prior to the closingand sealing operation;

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus shown in Fig.` 13 wherein the top closure member has been positioned in place;

Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 13 when both the top and bottom closure members have been positioned in place; I

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus shown in Fig. 13, wherein the top closure has been retracted preparatory to removal of the sealed container;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating the feeding of the strapping means through a standard strapping device employed with this invention;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary, fperspective view of the strapping means being tightened within a standard strap apply'- ing device; and Y Fig. 19 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the strap securing means `being sealed and severed fromvthe strap supply means.`

lDescription ofthe apparatus The particular machine illustrated is designed to apply top `and bottom closure caps to a tubular body member .as swell. as .appl-y ..banding :means -.tothe .container.- :Referring .in :general `.to .Figs .,l .and .2, -ithe `tdevice consists essentially: vof.-av `topfsealing means .Ananda a .bottom sealing `means B placed .Y in alignment `wit-h l,an :outputconveyor ,portion 21. A.v suitable Zstand. .or .support 22 t is.connected to,a base member23 .which provides for. agpainospaced ttop .arms..24 to .whichcertaingportionsi oft thev top sealing means A are rigidly secured. ...Inthe .embodiment of the .device illustrated, .the .bottom sealing .means .B employs .movableonveyor.section rZmade up. ofa .rigid frame .26 @supporting lhorizontally disposed, tfreely rotatable 'rollers.27. .Therollers .27 `are `sulzvstantially.identical with .the rollers .28..of Athe input..conveyor..section .20 v:and .the .output conveyor section 21, .,however, Yas .illustrated in Fig.. 3, in .the particular. embodiment shown, they.may .be slightly rshorter in length lin order to substantiallycor- .respond `with .the .dimensions K.of @the bottom .container closure.

.'Qpposing. .pairs o'fspacediuprightlosure formingguides L29 are..secured.tofafrigid bottom frame-which, in turn, `is firmly secured to horizontal..men1hers .31 .which ,form.arpart.of the basememberlll. .The :bottom frame `30 is provided with an opening..32. of..suchsizetqpermit themovable conveyor fsec'tioniZSto ,he retracted down- Wardly'therethrough so that the. topsurface of, the.. rollers v27 maybe retracted .to.a .positi0n.in .substantially hush relationship With 'the bottomirame 30,..as;show.n1in Fig. .2.

A'bottom air.cylinder33.ispositioned in. spaced, vertical alignment with'the opening 432 andlis provided with a shaft`34 Whichis secured to the rigid frame .2'6 of the movable-conveyor section 25. flhebottom aircylinder "33`is of suitable size and capacity to positionthe movable conveyor-.section 25 vertically upwardly and downwardly inV timed relationship, as described'later, with the closing and sealing, process. Inlet and outlet :air supply tubes 35 and`36, respectively, are provided at the base .of the bot- .tom `air cylinder 33.

The closure 'forming guides 29 are secured in spaced relationship tothe upper surface of the bottom frame' 30 as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In the embodiment illustrated, 'a' total of eight closure forming guides 29 are employed, however, the number of guides may be varied to adaptthe machine for avparticul'ar type of container. For example, if it was desired to seal an octagonal container, the forming guides '29 would be positioned in .proper relation to receive the octagonally shaped closure members. The guides 29 are positioned in opposing pairs .so that their vertical surfaces 37 will be in hrm contacting relationship "With the adjacent outerface of the container closure as shown in Fig. 4. In the device illustrated, the closure forming guides areprovided with at horizontal top surfaces 38 and roundedintermediate surfaces 39 to facilitate .the easy sliding of the container closure into position. Each closure forming guide is positioned Iwith a spaced horizontal .slot 40 extending yfrom the vertical surface 37. .In the particular device, as shown in Fig. 4, the slot'40 is provided with a vertical, upst'anding slot portion 41. Thepurpose of -the vertical slot portionv 41 is to .accommodate certainlparts of the apparatus which will be fully described in the following portions of the description. The horizontal slots40 and upstanding slot :portions 41 of-each closureforming guide .29 areplaced inthe same rel'ativerposition so that they Willbein substantial horizontal .and vertical alignment with yadjacent guides on the bottom sealing means B. A two-piece track member AC is positioned within the horizontal slot 40..and.the upstanding slot ,41. The track member C is of suitable dimensiontoreceive thedesired type of strapping or banding means. In the embodiment illustrated, the track member C is providedwith curved corner por- .tions 42 tol facilitatetheeasy passage ,of the. strapping or banding material. The bottom track as illustrated is; proplace.

vided with Ian inlet end 43 and an outlet end 44. A sub- Mstantial spaceor void AAbetween' the ltwo track 1ends 43 `and 44 is provided to accommodate other tools and devices which form a part of the embodiment of the invention illustrated.

The track member C Acomprises an L-shaped bottom track 45, shown in Fig. 4, which is rigidly secured to the lower" edge "46 Aof *the'horizontallyslotted "portion of the closure forming guides 29. As further illustrated in Fig. 4, thevertical/legportion'47 of the L-shaped bottom track is positioned in spaced, substantiallyparallel relation to the vertical .surface l-37. The horizontal leg -portion 48 is positioned to extend towardthe vertical surface`37 of the forming guide 29. A cooperating top track 49 is vertically, movably positioned within the upstanding slotted portion vv41 of :the :closure forming guides 29. The top track 49 is, in eiect, positioned in opposing, cooperating relation with the bottom track 45. VMore fparticularly, the =vert ical `legfportion -47 of rthe-'top :track :49 `is fdisposed 1 in '.spaced, substantially Lparallel 1 relation :from the ivertical leg portion 47 of l the bottom track` 45 and `positioned 'more rcloselyfadjacent :i the 4vertical 'edge 137fof1 theiforming member 229. VThe horizontalleg :por- -tion148 ofthe top .track i49fis 'dispose'daway from the vertical edge 37 and is connected tofashorizontal. clamp uarmiit). Thehorizontalarm, inturn, is rigidlylsecured 'to avertical motion; imparting deviceasuch as an `airlcl-amp 351,1sasaillustratediin .'Figs. .3.randi4. The air clarnp .51.is secured to the closure forming guides 29 byxrneansof lthreaded fastenings .152 :lor other desired means. .The --movement .ofithehorizontal .arrn'vand the topitrack. isillus- 4trated byithecbrokendined portionshown in Fig. 4. At .'.thepuppen limitl tofv the. travely of; thectop.v track f.49,'.the'..lower corner 53..'.of the vertical; leg:portionz47.willtbe positioned Laboveatheeupperacorner.54ofxthebottom track 45. tain inlet supply'ihose 35is connectedto: the...air;clarnp.:51.

. .1Each.ofthe. closure forminggguides29 ispprovided with Jan; airsclamp; and1rack.:device1C':asidescribed, so that: the air clamps; 51 r may abe :operatedf-so .astto .t simultaneously elevate :the` entire ytop track member -149 .into1 the raised ;.position;shown in Fig. f4 in thebrokenline portion.

.1.111.theiillustratedembediment:of: the inventiongbanding means, suchas steelstrap from;a1suitable source G, is driven-through'the'twofpiece track member Cby means .ofaytimeddriver'unit D, illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

.Tzhe'driverunitD has a central frame member 56 which, `in turn, ,is,.provided with an.upstanding lug portion 57, drilled with -aasmall'opening'SS :and an axially aligned, spring-receiving opening 59. A separate track kplate .60 is vadalfted .to be in atwiserelation againstthebottom .edgefof theldriverzframemernber 56. A bolt receiving vv,opening.61 .extendsthrough-.the driver frame member 56 land the track plate 6i). A threaded fastening62 is positioned through the opening 61 and tightly-secured in When the threaded fastening 62 is loosened, the trackfplatefmay bemoved with respect to the driver trame member 56 for minor adjustment. vThe driver `framemember 56 isprovided with a .pair of lspaced openings 63 adapted to receive threaded fastenings 65 which may be firmly secured to driver unit supporting bracket 64.bymeans of thethreaded fasteningst65 or othersuitable means.

A rotarymotion imparting means such as, for example, an air motor 66,'derivingair under ,pressure through an inlet 35, orany ,other-suitable device is inserted through ,opening 67 in .the driver frame member'56. In the embodiment illustrated, the track plate360 is provided vwith ya semi-circular vopeningwin registering relation with Vthe .opening 67, .toallow clearance to permit mounting of the airmotor 66. A shaft 69 extends 4vertically up- .wardlyfromthexmotor 66. vA knurled driver ring70 .and;ai.atfretaining :collar 71 are rigidly .secured1to the shaft :69 .byrmeans :of..a vthreaded nut 72 or anyrother .desired means.

A spring. loaded pressure; arm 7.13 :having aL handle portion 74 is pivotally mounted to the driver frame member 56 by means of a threaded fastening 75 whichextends' through registering openings 76. The openings `76 'are' vertically disposed and extend through the driver frame member 56 `and the pressure arm73, asillustrated in Fig.` 6.` A relatively shallow spring receiving opening 77 is provided in the pressure arm 73. The opening 77` is adapted to receive an adjustablecompression spring78 which extends into the spring receiving opening'59 in the lug member 57.

A horizontal holding bar 79 is secured by welding or other suitable means to the top of the pressure arm 73. A vertical, pin 80. is tightly positioned into a vertical receiving opening 81 and is disposed through the holding barv 79- adjacent the end thereof. A freely `rotatable idler wheel 82 is secured onto the vertical pin 80. As shown in Figs. and 7, the idler wheel is positioned so that it is in substantial, horizontalalignment with the knurled portion of the driver ring 70. As will be apparent from al description of the operation of the device hereinafter set forth,` the idler wheel 82 isadapted to maintain la strap or band` ingmeans155` firmly against the knurled driver ring 70.- The -ycompression spring maintains the idler wheel 82 firmly against the strap means at all times.` If desired,"

the idler wheel 82 may be moved away from the knurled driver ring 70 for adjustment `or inspection-by moving the connected handle portion 74 outwardly in pivotal relation about the threaded `portion`75 as shown in the broken line portion of Fig. 5. The compressive force of thecom-` pression spring 78 may be varied by moving the threaded bolt 83 axially inwardly or outwardly as desired, through: the threaded nut84, which is iirmly secured to the outer face of the lug member`57. A flat spring `receiving and retaining disk 85 is interposed between the` outer end of the compression spring 78 and the the threaded bolt member 83.

As best illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, an input track? adjacent free end of member 86 is rigidly secured to the track plate 60 by,`

means of an L-shaped bracket member`87. A smaller output track member 88 is likewise secured to the oppo-l site portionof the track plate 60 by means of a similar bracket member 87. Both theinput track member 86 and theloutput track member 88 are preferably of the cross section illustrated in Fig. 12. The alignment of the track members 86 and 88 and the adjacent track `plate 60 with respect to the driver frame member 56 may be adjusted by loosening the threaded fastening 62 and pivoting the members 86 and 88 thereabout. `An auxiliary` Any suitable strap fastening, tightening and securing means Emay `be employed to securethe strapping or4 banding means 55 together. A standard commercial strap securing means is illustrated in Figs. 17, 18 and 19 and consists of a knurled tightening wheel 91 which is adapted to engage the'strapping material 55 to tighten it in position. Ratchet type dogs 92 also engage the strap 55`to hold it in position as it is tightened in place. The tightening wheel 91 is activated by moving a tightening handle 93. The overlapping portions of the strap 55 are positioned between the tightening wheel 91, and the ratchet dogs 92 are secured permanently together by means of metal seals 94, shown in Fig. 8, maintained in areserve chamber 95. After the overlapping portions of the strap 55 are secured in place, the strap is severed by shears 96 as shown in Fig. 19. In the particular strap tightening and securing device E, as illustrated, theseals are applied and the `strap is cut by movement of the seal-" ing`handle'97. It should be noted' that various other,

sof

fsiniilarlstrapor band fastening, tighteningiand securing means E may be employed if desired. l

`The topsealing means A, which is shown in Figs. 1 and 2o, is similar to the bottom sealing means B, however, inthe `embodiment illustrated, the top frame member 30 isa solid member, since it is not provided with an opening, such as found at 32 in the bottom frame member 30. The top framemember 30 is secured directly to a top shaft 34 which is operably disposed within a top air cylinder 33 having top and bottom air inlet openings 35. The top frame member 30' is provided with similar, downwardly disposed closure forming guides 29 which support a'two-piece toptrack unit C. A similar auxiliary trackmeniber 89 is` secured to the outlet end 44 of the top track member C bymeans of a top pivot pin 90. Also, a similar "top strap tightening and securing member E' is rigidly secured to a top horizontal plate 98 which rigidlysupports a top pivot pin 99. As shown in Fig. 1, in reverse to the mounting arrangement of the lower strap tightening and securing device in E, the upper tightening `and securing device E' is mounted in an inverted position, with the top pin 99 extending upwardly through the top frame member 30. In this manner, thejstrap tightening and securing means E may be swung outwardly away from the strap member 55 as illustrated in Fig. 3. Sirnilarly,a'top driver unit D is secured to the top frame driver unit B." o

30" in al position which is the inverse of the bottom ljljocess of operating the device Fig.` 2with a rectangular container F having upper andV lower body end` iiaps 100, and top and bottom closure caps 101. Each individual closure cap, illustrated in' detail in Fig. 9, is provided with a closure panel 102 having side marginal flaps 103 each with edge tiaps 104. In the particular container illustrated,` the side ilaps 103 and edge aps 104 are secured together by stitches 105 to position the edge flaps 104 for interlocking engagement with the lower body end llaps 100. The container member F isprovided with connected together side walls 106.

One preferred mode of operation of the machine is to place a tubular container body on a bottom closure cap 101 which has been placed upon the input conveyor section 20 as illustrated in Fig. 2. It is important that the bottom closure cap edge aps 104 are positioned upwardlyadjacent the upwardly disposed end flaps 100. The container is then loaded and a similar upper closure cap 101 placed on the top of the tubular body walls 106. Again, it is necessary that the edge flaps 104 be positioned downwardly adjacent the upper end flaps 100. The container is now ready to be closed and sealed. With the vertically movable conveyor section 25 positioned in substantial horizontal alignment with the input conveyor section 28 and `the top sealing means retracted upwardly, as shown in Fig. l, the container, together' with the previously positioned top and bottom closure caps, is moved into the rollers 27 on thelmovable conveyor section 25 so as to be in vertical alignment with the top and bottom sealing means A and B. With the container F in this position, the Vtop and bottom strap tightening and securing means E and E are swung outwardly away from the container as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. Both the upper and lower auxiliary track members 89 and 89 are swung into horizontal position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The container is now ready to be sealed.

The operation of the device is most readily apparent from Figs.` 13 to 16 inclusive. As described previously, a suitable air pressure supply system is provided to activate the various movable components of the machine, such as the various air clamps 51 and the cylinders 33 and 33'. `The compressed air may be derived from any convenient source, such as a compressor or pressure tank, notl illustrated. `Also-employed in the embodiment of` thedeviceillustrated is an electrical control system which' may @derive .its source of energy from zany=1c0nvenient means, such as abattery, :as illustrated. Y

The j sequence `,of closing operations is bcgunzbyzmoving the top` air, controlvalve .107into theposition shown in Fig. .l3 to direct the'inletairf into; thetopfairpe-ylinder `33 at the top airinlet opening.35,1.thus.causing1the.top sealing means AA to ,move slowlydownwardly intot engagement with thepreviously positioned topclosure member 101. As the-top sealing means.Acontinuestits'descent, as vfshoWn-in Figs. ,14 yand l5, ,the top switch 108fisfreleased,.closing thecircuit to the fintervaltimer T, thereby causing it to operate-for a,given period of time. When the-timer T is in operation,ithe circuit is. closed-to ,the solenoid 109. Thetirning-solenoidf1-09tis thusfactivated, thereby opening the bottom air.motor-valve.110 which, in turn, `activates the top andbottomair-motors 66-and 66 to drive :a jpredetermined length of -strapor other securing means 55gfrom-thesource G into `the two-.piece trackmember C. When theappropriatelength. ofstrap 55 has beenfed into the track lmembersC, and predetermined lengths of strap are in loverlapping .relationias shown in Fig. 3, the timer T interruptsthe` current to the metering solenoid 109 and the air motor -valve 110 .is closed. The meteringof the strapping means 55 `inno way affects the continuing operation of the top and bottom sealing means A and B. Thus, as theftop sealing means A continues downwardly, asshown in Fig. 15, the side switch 111 is closed, thus activating a bottom .solenoid 112 which, in turn, opens a bottom air valve 113 to open the bottom air cylinder 33 through the'outlet air tube 36 to the atmosphere. Thus, the bottom shaft 34 .and its connected piston are free to be forced downwardlyinto the bottom air cylinder 33 lby the continued downward movement of the top air cylinder 33 `against the container F. As the bottom shaft 34 is forced to lthe lower limit of its travel, the movable conveyorsectionZS .is held iirmly in position. In the meantime, the container lower end ilaps 100 and the bottom closure flaps 1'03 and 104 have been automatically lforced into interlocking relation together as they have been forced through the bottom forming guides 29, as shown in Fig. 15. Simultaneously, as thebottom sealingy means reaches the`lowermostportion of its travel, an air clamp switch ,114 .is closed, thereby activating the air clamp `slenod 1'1'5 which, in turn, activates an air clamp valve .116 so that air underpressure is supplied to -the various air clamps 51. This actsto force the top tracks 49 of the `bottom sealing means B upwardly and the bottom trackl`49' .ofthe top sealing means A downwardly, simultaneously away from .their adjacent track members 45 and 4'5.

Auxiliary track members 89 and89f, as shownlin'Fig. 2, .are swung manually upwardly vand downwardly respectively away 'from the adjacentinput track members ',8'6. Thetop and 'bottom strap tightening andsecuringmeans E and E are pivoted inwardly about the ,pin 99, as shown inFig. '3, to aposition againstthe adjacent side marginal flaps 1103 and the previously positioned strapping 55. The`bottom strap tightening and securing means Eis then raised sharply -upwardly. 'Similarly the top strap and securing means ,E is moved sharply downwardly. `In this manner both of the devices E and E are in engaging relation with the ends of the previously positioned strapping means '55 in a manner illustrated 'in Fig. 17. With the free end of the bottom Jclosure strapping means 55 rmlyheld between ratchet dogs 92, the tightening' handle, as shown in Fig. 18, is moved to activate the `knur`led tightening wheel 91 so as to rrnly secure the strap SS in position. The sealing handle `97 4is then 4moved into position, as shown in Fig. 19, and the adjacent overlapping :ends of the strap '5 are automatically secured togetherby a metallic seal94, not shown. I'Simultaneously and automatically, with themovement .of .thesealinghandle y97, the shears 96 sever the .connectedportion .ofthe strapping means. .Followingnthe sealing operation, the bottom .tightening and securing means E is.-moved.sharp1y downwardly away from the -secured strap .and Aswung horizontallyoutwardly. vIn asimilar manner,.after.the upper ytightening and securing .means E'is operated'to tighten :the top-:closurestrapping155 andsecure .it into position, the Ldevice E: is Vmovedupwardlyand. outwardlyout :ofl engagement with thestrapping means 55. The upper Aand 'lower'. auxiliarytracks'89 are then swung'into position`so1that theirfree end edges are positionedladjacent the viinlettrackmember `43. The topair control valve 107 is then manually positioned, as shown in Fig. 16, to direct the :air Ipressure through thebottom inlet air opening 35against the top cylinder 33 so as to drive the top .sealing means A upwardly away .from'the 'sealed container. .As showniin.Fig..1z6, asthe topsealingmeans raises, thesideswitch 111^Will be released, thereby causing the'bottom solenoid112 to1close the bottom air'vlve 113. The airpressureis then directedagainst the bottom face of the'piston, in the bottom air cylinder 33 to force it upwardly intoihorizontal'alignment with the'conveyor sections 20 and l21 as-shownin Fig..2. As the bottom sealing means B moves upwardly, the air clamp switch 1114 is released, thereby activating the air clamp solenoid 115 to turn the air clamp valve 116 to release therpressure Yon the air clamps 51 to lower the top track 49 of the bottom'fsealingmeans B and the bottom track49of the topsealing means A into position as shown in Fig.4.

Thecompletelyclosed and sealed container now appears as illustrated in Fig. 8 and may now be moved from the movable conveyor section 25 onto the output conveyor section.21 and ya new, unsealed container member, with top and bottom closure members 101, may be moved intoposition. The `process is then repeated.

With the process and apparatus described, it is possible to .interlock the top and bottom closure members on the container body, then band and seal the closure members permanently in place with a minimum-of manual assistance. At no time during the operation is it necessary to handle either the container or the banding means. The device describedis readily adapted to permit the use of various types and styles of strap tightening and securing means. Also, while in the particular embodiment described, a highpressure air system in conjunction with an electric control Vsystem -has been employed, it is apparent that other motion imparting means may be used if desired. For instance, a hydraulic system might be used or, if desired, a completely electric system might be cmployed. Also, Vthenovel process of applying the banding means may be carriedout by machines which are modiied from the .particular apparatus illustrated. It is also contemplated `that the structure of the two-piece guiding track C lmay be modified within the spirit and scope of the invention. Forinstance, it may be desirable to change the `configuration or operation ofthe movable trackportion to suit a particular Atype of installation. The invention may `beemployed in modied devices, for example, in installations where the container member employs only a single closure member. In that instance, only a single sealing means would be utilized. These and other modiications fall within the intended limits of the invention.

Further, various other types of containers may be closed and sealed in modified devices employing the invention. For example, containers which are octagonal or hexagonal in .cross section may be closed and sealed by modifying the .shape of the track members C and C' and the placement of the closure forming guides 29. Also, containers employing modied styles of end closure caps which must be banded may also be effectively sealed by machines employing this invention.

What we claim is:

1. An apparatus for closing and sealing containers of the type requiring a girding, encircling band comprising a band guiding track positioned about the container and having a movable side portion .positioned .adjacent the container, means for driving a predetermined length of band into theguiding track in a loop `about the container,

9 the movable track side portion being disposed intermediate the band disposed within the track and the adjacent container parts, means for retracting the track movable side portion in a direction parallel to the adjacent container parts and tensioning means to draw the loop inwardly from the track` into contacting relation withthe` container and means for permanently securing the encircling baud into girding position about the container.

2. An apparatus for closing and sealing containers of the type requiring a girding, encircling band comprising a band guiding track generally lixed Awith respect to adjacent container parts anda movable Vside portion positioned closely adjacent the container, means for driving a predetermined length of band from a source into the guiding track, means for retracting the track side portion and means for severing the band from the source and permanently securing it into position about the container.

3. An apparatus for closing and sealing containers of the type requiring a girding, encircling band comprising means for supporting the container, a band guiding track having a movable side portion positioned adjacent to and in encircling relation about the container, means adapted for driving a predetermined length of band from a source into the guiding track to form a loop about the container, said movable side portion being disposed intermediate the container and the encircling band, means for retracting the movable track side portion in a direction parallel to the adjacent container portions and means for shrinking the loop and severing it from the source and permanently securing it into position about the container.

4. An apparatus forclosing and sealing containers of the type requiring a girding, encircling band comprising means for supporting the container in operating position, a band guiding track generally fixed with respect to adjacent container parts and having a movable side portion adjacent the container and positioned about the container, means for driving a predetermined length of band to gird the container from a source into the guiding track, controlled means for substantially simultaneously retracting the movable track side in a parallel direction with respect to adjacent portions of the container, and means for withdrawing the band from the track onto the container and means for severing the band from the source and permanently securing it into girding position about the container.

5. An apparatus for applying a banding means to a container having a body, top and bottom closure caps with marginal iiaps thereon, the apparatus comprising a vertically movable, supporting base with stationary forming guides adapted to position the marginal bottom cap flaps against the container body, a vertically movable top cap forming device having forming guides adapted to position the top cap aps against the container body, the top and bottom for-ming guides each having a band guiding track with a movable inner side portion adapted to be positioned adjacent the respective top and bottom closure caps, timed, metering means for driving from a `source a predetermined length of banding means through each of the guiding tracks to form a loop about the con- Itainer, means for retracting the movable inner side portions of each of the guiding tracks, a band tensioning and securing mechanism for retracting the loop of banding out of the respective guiding tracks and firmly onto the side surfaces of the adjacent container closure caps and securing the banding permanently in place, means for severing the secured banding from the source.

6. An apparatus for applying a banding means to a container having a body and an end closure cap with marginal flaps thereon, the apparatus comprising a flat supporting base with upstanding, spaced forming guides positioned in upright relation to the supporting base and adapted to position the marginal closure cap llaps against the container body, the forming guides having notches adapted to receive a band guiding track disposed in substantially parallel relation to the supporting base, the band guiding track being provided with a vertically movable inner side portion adapted to be positioned closely adjacent the closure cap marginal iiaps, means for driving from a source a predetermined,- metered length of band'-A ing` means through the band guiding track to form an encirclingloop about the closure cap marginal flaps with the free end of the banding means being in overlapping relation with an adjacent portion of the banding means, means for retracting the vertically movable band guiding track side portion, a loop shrinking and band securing mechanism for retracting the band out of the guiding tracks and irrnly onto the side surfaces of the closure cap marginal flaps and securing the overlapping portions of the band permanently together and means for severing the secured band from the source.

7. An apparatus for applying a banding means to an upstanding container having a tubular body and a top and bottom closure cap each with marginal aps thereon, the apparatus comprising a flat supporting base with an opening therethrough adapted to receive the bottom end closure cap, the supporting base being provided with spaced forming guides positioned adjacent the opening in upright relation with the supporting base and adapted to position the marginal closure flaps of the bottom cap in upright relation against the tubular container body, a vertically movable, horizontal bottom closure cap receiving means positioned Within `the opening in the supporting base, a top, vertically movable plate having downwardly depending, vertically disposed, spaced forming guides positioned in right angular relation to the top plate and adapted to position the marginal closure flaps of the top cap against the container body, both the bottom and the top forming guides having notches adapted to receive a band guiding track disposed in substantially parallel relation to the adjacent respective bottom supporting base and top plate, each band guiding track being provided with a vertically movable, inner side portion adapted to be positioned closely adjacent the closure cap marginal aps, means for driving from a bottom and top source a predetermined, metered length of banding means through the bottom and top guiding tracks to form encircling loops about the respective closure cap marginal aps with the free ends of the banding means being in overlapping relation to the adjacent portions of the banding means, means for retracting the vertically movable top and bottom band guiding track side portions, a top and bottom loop shrinking and band securing mechanism for retracting `the bands out of their respective tracks and firmly onto the adjacent side surfaces of the respective top and bottom closure cap marginal flaps and securing the overlapping portions of the bands permanently together, and means for severing the secured bands from their respective sources.

8. A device for closing and sealing upstanding containers of the type requiring a girding, encircling band, means for supporting the container in operative relation with respect to the device, a band guiding and receiving track disposed in encircling relation about the container and comprising a vertically retractable side element having a vertical side portion disposed adjacent the container, and a `stationary side element having a vertical side portion and a horizontal bottom portion, the retractable side element being vertically movable to permit horizontal withdrawal of the band out of the track onto the container.

9. The method of closing and sealing a container having a preformed body portion and a closure cap with side marginal flaps which comprises the ste-ps of feeding a predetermined length of banding means into a track generally lixed with respect to the closure marginal aps and encircling the marginal flaps and having a movable side portion positioned adjacent to the container body, withdrawing the movable track side portion in a parallel direction to the marginal flaps and tightening the banding means out of the encircling track into rm contacting 171 engagement with the containerbody, Vsecuring the ends of the banding means .permanently together.

10. -The method of closing and sealing an upstanding container having a body portion and an 'end closure cap with depending side marginal aps thereon adapted to be positioned adjacent the body portion, including'the steps of moving the body portion 4and the -end closure cap to a position adjacent a ysealing mechanism and positioning the sealing mechanism'adjacent thelside marginal aps of the end closure cap, feeding a predetermined length of banding meansrinto a generally fixed track disposed within the sealing means andhaving a retractable side portion positioned'adjacent themarginal aps, withthe lbandingrneans 'out -of theencircling track intoirm 

